Artist Statement
“I have only a desire to paint what is my own – wholly and completely from within – along with the offerings of the earth and her daily miracles of color and light. When I begin a painting, I take inspiration from a beautiful light, color, form or texture and then continue working through observation. But the painting soon takes on life of its own. More often, I end up choosing exaggerated and unexpected color relationships and compositions that reflect my emotional response more so than what I’m seeing in front of me. I find it much more satisfying to be guided as much by my imagination and memory as my eyes.”

Robert Simone gives a generous and inspiring painting demonstration at the Lake Louise Waterwheel, Weaverville.

Cover the white quickly so you can see the color relationships.

Robert J. Simone is an artist with the ability to see extraordinary beauty in ordinary places. His enthusiasm for nature and passion for painting are infectious. He has been described as a highly-skilled representational painter who possesses an innate sense of color and composition. Simone has a way of seeing, an artistic vision, which is uniquely his own. He responds to and paints the landscape in a way that makes it more accessible to the viewer. He believes the creation of fine art goes beyond the mere learning of a craft. He says, “The art of painting is passionate response to nature. It’s a way of seeing that orchestrates the broad array of visual stimuli into a harmonious whole.”

By Sue Dolamore
Robert Simone is an award winning plein air painter. He recently won 3rd Prize Overall in Mountain Maryland Plein Air Festival, The Artists’ Choice Award in Plein Air Easton’s Tighlman Island Competition and 2nd Prize in Solomon’s Island Plein Air Festival’s Paint The Town competition (this was a timed 4 hour painting competition).
Robert supported himself through years of intense study with positions that kept him close to nature and near the sea. Now his distinctive blend of sensual colors, confident brush strokes and captivating light portray the emotions associated with the scenes he loves. He paints on location so that the landscape itself will inform the paintings he creates. Most days will find him with his easel at water’s edge pursing his passion. It’s this experience of the elements that makes his landscapes and seascapes in oil so highly collected.
I sent Robert a list of questions and below he shares his answers: Continue reading →

by Sue Dolamore
“It matters little what I paint. It matters much that I paint. A certain glance, attitude, light or mood communicates with me strong enough to get me motivated to speak back. Then I go to my studio and pick up chalk or brush. It is there at the easel where I find contentment, simple yet abundant with memories and moments I wish to record.” C.L.Burgess